Upgrades at Quantico Commissary

A $20.5 million renovation is underway at the Quantico Marine Corps base commissary.
Store director Carrie Butler said the sales area would be expanded by 42,000 square feet to 78,000 square feet as a result of the renovation, which is expected to be complete by the fall of 2011.
“We’re not going to be closed,” she stressed.
A new warehouse and receiving dock will be added to the existing building. The current administrative office area will be converted into a shopping area, Butler said. A board in the store will keep customers updated on the progress of the renovations and construction.
“They actually will be able to see what area of the store is being worked on,” she said. “I wanted to be able to be very transparent to our customers.”
The work is being completed in six phases. Currently, the parking lot is being expanded to allow for an additional 34 to 36 spaces. Digging is going on behind the building to allow for the burial of electrical lines, Butler said. A retaining wall is being constructed on the building’s west side.
Caddell Construction Company of Montgomery, Ala., is doing the work that is being paid for by a five percent surcharge added to customers’ bills. The surcharge is earmarked for new commissary construction and upgrading existing facilities.
“Our customers pay for everything,” Butler said. “This is your surcharge dollars at work.”
When the work is complete, shoppers at Quantico will be able to enjoy a new, international delicatessen and bakery, self-checkouts and modern display cases.
“We’re going to have upright meat cases,” Butler said.
The store will also become more energy efficient and will make use of design features like non-ozone depleting refrigerants, LED lighting, and lighting that adjusts its output according to ambient lighting levels.
“Its very environmentally friendly,” said Butler. “The store will be more energy efficient.“
The new entrance to the commissary will be built near the adjacent Post Exchange. The additional space also means customers will have more options when shopping for produce and other grocery items.
“The things that customers need will be expanded,” she said.
There will also be room inside the store for shopping carts, meaning that they will stay dry even if the weather outside is wet.